Musical instrument



y 5, 1952 A. c. HUGIN 2,595,381

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT Filed Dec. 28, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor:

y 5, 1952 A. c. HUGIN MUSICAL INSTRUMENT 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 28, 1948 Inventor; M%%7fl May 6,1952 A. c. HUGIN MUSICAL INSTRUMENT 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 28, -l948 Inventor: M%%y% Patented May 6, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT; OFFICE MUSICAL INSTRUMENT Adolph O. Hugin, Washington, D. C.

Application December 28, 1948, Serial No. 67,599

23 Claims. 1

terchangeability of different sets of reeds arranged according to the notes of different musi cal scores or selections for rendering different tunes. The instruments can be made with any number of cells and reeds according to the length of the melodies or selections it is desired to play with them. The replaceable reed supporting members may be provided with reeds tuned and arranged'according to any conventional or other desired preselected'musical note arrangement to provide for the use of the instrument for playing tunes by the selection of the tones by the player, as with any conventional or special harmonica.

An object of my invention is to provide a novelty musical instrument, such as a harmonica,

with which predetermined melodies may be played on interchangeable removably mounted sets of reeds, arranged according. to the notes or tones of musical scores.

Another object of my invention is to provide a harmonica with a supporting structure in which means for supporting a set of reeds arranged according to the notes or tones of a preselected musical score is removably mounted.

A further object of my invention is to provied a harmonica with a supporting structure on which a pair of reed plates is removably mounted, and in which each reed plate is provided with a plurality of reeds tuned and arranged according to the notes or tones of a preselected musical note arrangement.

Further objects and advantages of my invention and various detail improvements will become apparent, and my invention will be better understood from the following description referring to the accompanying drawings, and the features of novelty which characterize my inven- Ition will .be pointed out .with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. .No. 67,600, filed December 28, 'l; 9 l8,'lllusical In- My .copending application Serial struments, discloses other embodiments of my invention and includes broad generic claims to my basic invention.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a perspective View, partly broken away, of a twelve-cell harmonica made according to one embodiment of my invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective View illustrating the other side of the harmonica shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a harmonica similar to that shown in Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a harmonica partly broken away, illustrating another embodiment of the invention; Fig. 5 is a sectional viewtaken along line 55 of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the harmonica shown in Fig. 4. viewed from the opposite side from Fig. 4; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a harmonica, partl disassembled, showing a further modification of my invention; Fig. 8 is a perspective view, partly broken away, illustrating a harmonica embodying a still further embodiment of my invention; Fig. 9 is a sectional view, taken along line 9-9 of Fig. 3; and Fig. 10 is an enlarged, fragmentary, perspective view of a part of the harmonica illustrated in Fig. 8.

Referring to the drawings, I have shown an embodiment of my invention, in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, as a twelve-cell harmonica provided with a main supporting structure I, which forms the reed plate spacer and cell block and which may be made of an suitable material, such as wood or molded plastic. This supporting structure is formed with a plurality of intermediate walls 2 and end walls 3 connected together by a base 4, which provides a base closure for cells 5 formed between the walls 2 and 3. A pair of covers 6 is arranged over the sides of the cells,

one on each side of the reed spacer cell block.

- These covers may be made of any suitable material and preferably are formed of molded plastic. An edge of each cover is formed as a mar- -Jginal air-sealing lip I which extends longitueach end of the covers.

dinally alon the mouthpiece edge of the cell block and is adapted tobe spaced from the adjacent sides of the intermediate and end walls 2 and 3 substantially the thickness of a reed plate, or slightly less, by a mounting step 8 on Each mounting step 8 is formed with a recess 9 which is adapted to be fitted over-a small protrusion or projecting pin is; formed on'each side of each end wall 3 andlO. be h ot pressed together to secure the covers permanently to the supporting structure. Theengaging surfaces of the mounting steps 3 1and the end wa lls 3 are coatedwith a;suita'ble shown in Fig. 3.

material to make these surfaces adhere to each other substantially permanently. A suitable adhesive or cement may be used for this purpose, or if the supporting structure and the covers are all made of plastic, a polystyrene, or other suitable solvent, may be applied to .the engaging surfaces, and the assembl of covers 6 and supporting structure I allowed to set up under pressure. Either or both of these means, the recesses and pins 3 and ID or the bonding material, for securing together the covers and the supporting structure may be used, depending upon the materials of which these parts are made and the quality of the bond desired between them thus forming a unitary supporting structure member.

Each longitudinal end of each cover is formed with a transversely extending surface II on substantially the same plane as the inner surface of the lip I and adjacent the step 8, such that when the cover 6 is arranged in assembled position on the supporting structure, the surfaces II form guideways for a reed plate between the cover and the reed plate spacer supporting structure I. The mounting steps 8 preferably are made slightly shorter than the transverse width of the covers and supporting structure to provide wider transverse guideway surfaces I2 adjacent the bases of the covers. This construction forms slightly wider guideways at the base of the ends of the harmonica when the covers are arranged in assembled positions on the supporting structure, and provides for a better support of reed plates in the instrument.

Tonal reeds for producing the desired music are supported by a pair of reed plates I3 and I4, I

formed of any suitable material, such as metal or plastic, although metal is preferred if the supporting structure and covers are made of plastic, because metal has less tendency to stick in a guideway with plastic surfaces. These reed plates are adapted to be readily assembled and disassembled in the harmonica by sliding engagement with the pair of guideways formed by the surfaces II and I2 and the adjacent reed plate spacer supporting structure. The thickness of the reed plates I3 and I4 and the width of the guideways are such as to provide a close sliding fit of the reed plates with the sides of the guideways to assure against accidental displacement of the reed plates, while allowing for their ready removal from and insertion into assembled positions on the supporting structure. In order further to assure the correct assembly of the reed plates in the instrument, rounded protrusions I5 are formed on each side of the base adjacent each end of the reed plate spacer supporting structure, preferably integral therewith, and complementary depressions or recesses I6 are formed in the base portion of each reed plate adjacent v the outer ends, so that when the reed plates are fully inserted on the supporting structure the recesses It will snap into engagement with the protrusions I5 for removably latching the reed plates in assembled playing positions. e

Blow reeds I1 and draw reeds I8 are supported on the reed plates I3 and I4, respectively. If the reed plates are of molded plastic, the reeds I"! and I8 may be molded integrally with the plates, directly over the reed air passages, as shown in Fig. I. The reeds may also be made separately and secured to the reed plates by rivets 59, as

This latter construction facilitates the use of individually tuned reeds and is particularly adapted to use with metal reed plates. Since the blow reeds ll extend on the inner side of the reed plate I3, it is necessary to provide for the passage of these reeds into and out of the cells when inserting and removing the reed plate I3 from the supporting structure. A plurality of keys or bosses 20 are formed on the reed plate I3, slightly wider than the blow reeds I! and centrally aligned therewith, and are adapted to have a close sliding fit with comple mentary keyways or recesses 2I formed in the base 4 of the supporting structure I. The recesses 2I communicate with the bases of the cells 5, as shown in Fig. 1, and provide for the free passage of the blow reeds I! without engagement between the reeds l1 and the base 4. The close fit of the bosses 20 in the recesses 2I assures against the leakage of air therebetween. This feature also assures the correct insertion of the reed plate I3 with the blow reeds, in the supporting structure. Since the draw reeds I8 are on the outer side of the reed plate I4 when assembled in the harmonica, no provision need be made for the free passage of the draw reeds when assembling or disassembling the reed plate I4 in the supporting structure. It may be desirable to assure correct alignment of the draw reeds in the cells 5, and the reed plate I4 may, therefore, be formed with a key or boss 22, which is adapted to have a close sliding fit with a complementary keyway or recess 23 in the base 4 of the supporting structure. The keyway 23 preferably is spaced longitudinally different from any of the keyways 2|, in order to prevent the insertion of the reed plate I4 on the side of the supporting structure intended for the reed plate I3, and, thus, to assure correct assembly of the reed plates.

In order to minimize air leakage between the reed plates and the adjacent surfaces of the supporting structure, a plurality of longitudinally spaced inwardly extending guide elements 24 are formed on the inner sides of the covers 6 for engagement with the outer surfaces of the reed plates for biasing the reed plates into substantially air-sealing engagement with the adjacent surfaces of the supporting structure. These guide elements 24, the marginal lip l, and the guideways at each end of the instrument, all serve to minimize air-leakage and also removably to latch the reed plates in assembled position in the supporting structure independently of positive engagement with any means for securing together parts of the unitary supporting structure. Assembly and disassembly of the reed plates is facilitated by the provision of tabs 25 on the reed plates I3 and I4 extending in a direction away from the mouthpiece edge thereof, thus providing grips which aid in the handling of the reed plates.

The tonal reeds on each reed plate are constructed, tuned, and arrange-:1 in a preselected musical note or tone sequence according to a predetermined musical score or melody. If desired, the musical score of the blow reeds Il may be a progressive linear note arrangement of part of a melody or other musical score, while the draw reeds I8 may be a progressive linear note arrangement of another part of the same melody or musical score. If short tunes are selected, the musical score of the blow reeds may comprise one tune and the musical score of the draw reeds may comprise another tune. This latter arrangement may be especially practical if the tunes have a repetitive sequence of notes or of any particular note, as then the sequence or the particular note need not be repeated in the .reed

. arrangement, for the player need only repeat the sequence or the particular note the correct number of times, in performing the tune, in order to produce the desired result, that is, the sequence of notes need only be a fixed relative succession of the different tones of the melody and not each note of the melody, the repetition of a tone or a sequence of tones being left to the performer. Such an arrangement may, of course, also be used if the blow and draw reeds all are for a single melody or musical score. The term musical score, as used in the claims, includes any and all of the above meanings. With my invention, it is not necessary to know how to read music or to know how to select the various tones on the reeds of the harmonica, for the reeds are prearranged in the proper sequence for the rendition of the musical score. As stated, each reed plate or set of reed plates is constructed to render only the score to which the reeds are tuned and arranged.

In order to provide for the rendition of different musical scores, the reed supporting members, that is, the reed plates 13 and l4, are made easily removable and interchangeable with other similarly constructed reed supporting members on whichthe reeds are tuned and arranged according to sequences of the notes of other musical scores. The musical score to which the reeds are tuned and arranged can readily be identified by the provision of a title 26 of the musical score, or some other identifying mark or notation, on a surface of each reed plate. This identification 26 also aids in indicating the correct relative position of the reed plates for insertion in the instrument, as a standard practice can be adopted so that it should be on the outside of the reed plates when they are assembled in the harmonica.

Various modifications of the features shown in Figs. 1 through 3 can easily be utilized without departing from the basic features of this embodiment of my invention. Figs 4, 5, and 6 illustrate some of these modifications. In the instrument shown in these latter figures, a main supporting structure 21, which forms a combined cell block and reed plate spacer, includes a plurality of intermediate transverse cell walls 28 and end transverse cell walls 29. A longitudinally extending central or sectionalizing wall 30 divides the cell block into individual cells for each of the reeds, thereby minimizing the leakage of air by eliminating the passage of air around a reed not being played in a two-reed cell, such as occurs when both a blow reed and a draw reed are arranged in each cell. The supporting structure cell block, thus, has a set of blow reed cells 3| and a set of draw reed cells 32. This supporting structure can be made of any suitable material, such as wood or molded plastic, and if made of molded plastic, can be made as an integral unit. The I transverse walls 28 and 29 and the central wall 30 extend from and are connected together by a base 33 which forms a closure for the base of cells 3| and 32.

In these figures, molded plastic reed plates 34 and 35 form the reed supporting members and are adapted to be removably mounted in the I harmonica and secured in playable position therein independently of positive engagement with any means for securing together parts of the unitary supporting structure, so as to be interchangeable readily with other similarly constructed reed plates. The reed plate 34 is formed integral with a plurality of blow reeds 35 arranged over suitable reed openings 31, in the reed plate 34, and

formed and arranged according to a preselected sequence of notes of a predetermined 'mus'ical" assembled positions in the instrument.

score. These blow reeds 36 are tuned and arranged, as explained with reference to Figs. 1 to 3, in a progressive linear note or tone arrangement according to the notes of a melody or other musical score; and a plurality of draw reeds 38 are similarly formed and arranged on the reed plate according to another preselected sequence of notes or tones of another musical score. These reeds and reed plates can, equally well, be made of metal, as previously described with reference to Fig. 3.

The harmonica is provided with a pair of covers 39 for protecting the reeds of the instrument and for forming a sound chamber around the reeds. The covers also are constructed to form guideways for supporting the reed plates in proper These covers 39 may be made of any suitable material, such as molded plastic, and are arranged one on each side of the supporting structure 21. A pin or projection 40 is formed on each side of each end wall 29 of the supporting structure and is adapted to be fitted into a complementary recess 4| in an end of a cover 33. The covers are hot pressed over the pins 43 to secure the-covers rigidly to the supporting structure, thus forming a unitary member. Each cover is formed with a step 42 on each end which provides a passage 43 at each longitudinal end of the covers. These passages 43 extend over the inner portion of the end walls 29 and form transverse guideways into which the reed plates can be slid with a close fit.

Each cover also is formed with an inturned marginal lip 44, extending longitudinally along its mouthpiece edge, to aid in forming a substantially air-sealing closure with the reed plates. The lip 44 is formed with an inner plane surface 45 on the same plane as the inner surface of the steps 42 for engagement with the adjacent plane side surfaces of the cell walls 28 and 29. A suitable bonding material, such as an adhesive or cement, or, if both the supporting structure and the covers are made of plastic, a polystyrene, or

other suitable solvent, may be applied to the lip surfaces 45, the inner surfaces of the steps 42, and the side surfaces of the transverse walls 28 and 29, prior to their assembly, and the assembly of covers and supporting structure placed under pressure to allow the bonding material to set and form a permanent bond between them. Either, or both, the bonding material and the pins and recesses may be used to provide the quality of bond desired; in some instances, only one of these will be sufficient.

In order to improve the ease of playing the harmonica and to assure the true sounding of only the desired reed, the leakage of air is further minimized by several features, all of which may be incorporated in the harmonica, although certain of these features may be omitted in order to provide a simplified construction. Each contributes to making the harmonica a higher quality instrument. These include the provision of an inwardly tapered surface 46 on the marginal lip 44 which is adapted to engage a complementary tapered edge surface 41 on the mouthpiece end of the reed plate and to form a substantially air- I walls 28 and are adapted to have a snug sliding fit over the reed plates so as to form guide members which bias the reed plates into substantially air-sealing engagement with the adjacent sides of the transverse walls 28 and 29. A spring clamp 49 is formed with inturned ends 58, which are adapted to snap into engagement with recesses formed on the outside of the covers 39, for biasing. together these covers and further for biasing the reed plates into substantially air-sealing engagement with the sides of the transverse walls 28 and 29. This clamp 49 also is formed with an intermediate portion 52 which is adapted to engage the base edge 53 of the reed plates and thus to bias the reed plates into assembled positions in the harmonica and into substantially airsealing engagement with the tapered lip surface 46.

The proper assembly of the reed plates in the instrument is further facilitated by the provision of tabs 54 on each longitudinal end of the reed plates adjacent the edges thereof away from the mouthpiece edges of thereed plates. These tabs form grips which aid in handling the reed plates and extend through an enlarged guideway portion 55 in the covers and out of the ends of the harmonica. This arrangement of tabs may be found more convenient for some players than that shown in Figs. 1 to 3, although the construction shown in these latter figures may be utilized, if preferred. In addition, dovetailed bosses or projections 56 may be formed on the reed plate 34, which are adapted to engage complementary dovetailed recesses or keyways 51 formed in the base 33 of the supporting structure.

The reed plate 34 also is formed with a boss or projection 58 preferably in the form of a step of substantially the same width as the base 33, and extending in depth, from the adjacent surface of the reed plate 34, slightly more than the projection of the outer surface of the blow reeds 36 from this surface. This projecting step 58 is adapted to fit in substantially air-sealing engagement with a complementary stepped recess or groove 59 formed in the base 33 of the supporting structure. This stepped construction provides for the free passage of the blow reeds over the base 33 without interference when inserting or removing the reed plate 34. The difference in the location and formation of the projections 55 and 58 also helps to identify the side of the harmonica on which each reed plate is to be mounted.

A title 60 of the musical score, or a title-indicating mark or notation, may be placed on the outer side of each reed plate to aid in identifying the musical score for which the reeds are tuned and arranged, and also to indicate the side of the reed plate which is to be on the outside when it is assembled in the supporting structure. A further latching feature maybe provided in the form of a small rounded projection 6| on the inner surface of each reed plate adjacent the base edge thereof, which is adapted to snap intolatching engagement with a complementary recess 62 formed in the base 33 of the supporting structure. This latching feature also will aid in indicating when the reed plate is fully inserted and will help prevent accidental deplacement of the reed plates. It is to be understood that any of the modifications shown in Figs. 4 to 6 can be omitted, and the corresponding features shown in Figs. 1 to 3 can be utilized, if desired.

A further modification-of my improved musical instrument is shown in; Fig. 7. The harmonica illustrated in this figure may include the; basic featuresof the supporting, structure, -covers,: and.

reed plates shown in Figs. 1 through 6, and any of the various details for improving the performance of the instrument, such as the marginal lips and the individual cells, and features to aid in the proper assembly of the instrument, such as a title indication on the outer surface of each reed plate, may be employed in this harmonica. A reed plate 63, for supporting blow reeds, is formed with a plurality of keys or projections 64 adapted slidingly to engage complementary recesses or keyways 65 in a base 63 of the main supporting structure 61 of the harmonica. These keys 64 are slightly Wider than the blow reeds to provide for the free passage of the reeds without engagement with the base 66 when the reed plate 33 is inserted or removed from the supporting structure. Tabs 68 are formed on the base edge of the reed plates and extend away from the mouthpiece edge, similar to those shown in Figs. 1 to 3, and form grips which aid in handling the reed plates.

Covers 69 are arranged over each side of the instrument, and. enlarged transverse guideway portions '18 are formed in each end of the cover adjacent the base, similar to those of Figs. 1 to 6,

except that the ends H are closed. This provides for a more secure bond of the covers to the supporting structure by providing a larger bonding area between which bonding material may be applied, as described with reference to Figs. 1 to 6 and thus forming a unitary supporting structure member. It also gives the instrument a more finished appearance. This feature can only be used if the tabs project as shown in this figure, and could be omitted as in Figs. 1 to 6 if tabs similar to those in Figs. 4 to 6 were used.

In order to assume against accidental displacement of the reed plates 63 and "f2 and to bias the reed plates into assembled positions, a spring clamp 13 is adapted to be snapped on to each end of the harmonica. Each clamp 13 is formed with inturned ends 14 adapted to snap into engagement with recesses 15, formed in the outer surfaces of the ends of the covers 59 on the supporting structure 61, and with a substantially flat central portion 16 adapted to have a biasing engagement with the outer edges 11 of the reed plates. These spring clamps also bias the covers inwardly, and thereby bias the reed plates into more intimate engagement with the adjacent surfaces of the side walls of the cells and the base 66 of the suporting structure 61. Air-leakage is still-further minimized by the provision of a plurality of longitudinally spaced transversely extending wall or rib guide elements '18 on the inner side of each cover 63. These ribs are arranged spaced on each side of each of the reeds and extending substantially the full length of the cell side walls for biasing the reed plates into substantially air-sealing engagement with the'sides of the cell block formed by the side surfaces of the cell walls and the base of the supporting structure and serve to assist in removably securing the reed plates in assembled playable position independently of positive engagement with any means for securing together parts of the unitary supporting structure.

The reeds also are arranged on the reed plates according to the notes or tones of a musical score or melody in a progressive linear sequence, as in the structures of Figs. 1 through 6, and the score may be obtained by starting at one end and progressing-to the other end of the reed plates for both the-blow and the draw reeds, or may start at one end and progress to the other end for one set of reeds and then progress in the opposite direction for the other set of reeds. An indication of the direction of the progression to be followed may be given by any suitable mark, such as an arrow 19, on the outer surface of each reed plate. A further embodiment of my invention is shown in Figs. 8, 9, and 10. In this embodiment, a harmonica, of the twelve-cell type, is providedwith a main supporting structure 80 having transverse cell walls 8| and a base 82 forming a closure for the bases of cells 83. A mouthpiece member 84 is arranged opposite the base 82 and is provided with cell openings 85 which communicate with the cells 33. On each side of the mouthpiece member, an inturned marginal lip 86 extends longitudinally of the instrument and is formed with a slightly tapered outside surface 81, to which an adjacent edge 88 of a cover 89 is bonded. This construction of the mouthpiece and covers forms a relatively thin mouthpiece for the instrument. The supporting structure and covers 89 may be made of any suitable material, such as wood or molded plastic, and, if made of plastic, can be molded as a unitary structure and thereby greatly minimize air leakage, for the mouthpiece, the transverse cell walls, and the base would be without joints through which air might leak.

Each marginal lip may be made with atapered inner surface 90, which preferably tapers from the cover inwardly towards the mouthpiece cell opening, and the mouthpiece edge of both reed plates 9| and 92 is made as a complementary tapered surface. These tapered surfaces act to bias further the reed plates toward the outer side surfaces of the cell transverse side walls, and assure a substantially air-sealing engagement therebetween. The general structural features of the supporting structure 80 and the covers 89 include guideways at the ends of the harmonica, similar to those of the other figures of the drawings, so as to secure reed plates in readily replaceable playable position in the supporting structure independently of positive engagement with any meanssecuring together the parts of the supporting structure. The reed plates also may be of metal or molded plastic, similar to the previously described structures, and are provided with blow reeds 93 and draw reeds 94 arranged according to the notes of preselected musical scores, also tuned and arrange-d in a manner similar to those of Figs. 1 through '7. In this construction, the reed plate 9| with the blow reeds 93 is formed with a plurality of keys or projections 95, similar to the keys 64 in Fig. Ladapted to have a snug, sliding fit with complementary recesses or keyways 96, in the base 82 of the supporting structure, in order to provide for the free passage of the blow reeds 93 when the reed plate 91 is inserted in or withdrawn from the supporting structure.

Air leakage is further minimized, as in the other harmonicas, by the provision of a plurality of longitudinally spaced transverse guide wall or rib elements 91, extending inwardly from the inner surface or" the covers 89 for substantially the full length of the cell walls 8|, and adapted to engage the outer surfaces of the reed plates in a snug, sliding fit for biasing the reed plates into substantially air-sealing engagement with the adjacent surfaces of the cell transverse walls 8|. This biasing action is further assured by a spring clamp member 98 having inturned ends 99 adapted to engage recesses I in the outer surfaces'of the covers 89,,and thus biasing the covers toward each other. This spring clamp '98 is V Letters Patent of the United States is:

could be made like those of Fig. 7, if desired, as

both of these arrangements have substantially the same latching and biasing properties. Tabs I02 also are provided on the reed plates to pro- ;vide grips for facilitating assembly and disassembly of the reed plates and the supporting structure. These tabs are shown similar to those of Figs. 4, 5, and 6, but could equally be like those of Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 7.

While I have illustrated and described particu- "lar embodiments of my invention, various features illustrated in different embodiments can readily be interchanged if desired, and modifications which are within the spirit and scope of my invention may occur to those skilled in the art. I desire it to be understood, therefore, that all such interchanges and modifications are included within the scope of the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by 1. A harmonica having a supporting structure with a mouthpiece edge and a back edge, a pair of reed plates, a transverse guideway open at said ;back edge for each of said reed plates adjacent tion of each end adapted to have a close sliding fit with the sides of said guideways, one of said reed plates having a plurality of blow reeds in a preselected successive musical note arrangement according to a part of a musical score fixed relative tosaid supporting structure when inserted into playable position therein, and the other of said reed plates having a plurality of draw reeds in a preselected successive musical note arrangement according to another part of the musical score fixed relative to said supporting structure when inserted into playable position therein,

2. A harmonica having a supporting structure with a mouthpiece edge, a pair of reed plates removably mounted in said supporting structure, one of said reed plates having a plurality of blow reeds in a preselected progressive linear musical note arrangement according to a musical score fixed relative to said supporting structure when inserted into playable position therein, the other of said reed plates having a plurality of draw reeds in a preselected progressive linear musical note arrangement according to another musical score fixed relative to said supporting structure when inserted into playable position therein, and means including an inturned marginal airsealing lip adjacent each side of said mouthpiece edge of said harmonic-a adapted to engage the adjacent end of each respective reed plate for removably latching said reed plates in assembled position in said supporting structure.

3. A harmonica having a supporting structure comprising a mouthpiece edge and with an outer cover around said cell block, a pair of reed plates removably mounted in said supporting structure, one of said reed plates being provided with a plurality of blow reeds in a preselected progressive linear musical note arrangement according to a musical score, the other of said reed plates being provided with a plurality of draw reeds in a preselected progressive linear musical note arrangement according to another musical score, and means including a marginal lip adjacent each side of said mouthpiece edge of said harmonica and a plurality of longitudinally spaced inwardly extending guide elements on the inner sides of said cover biasing said reed plates into substantially air-sealing engagement with said cell block for removably latching said reed plates in assembled position in said. supporting structure.

4. A harmonica having a plastic supporting structure, a pair of plastic reed plates, a transverse guideway for each of said reed plates adjacent each longitudinal end of said supporting structure, each of said reed plates being formed for ready insertion into and removal from said supporting structure with a portion of each end adapted to have a close sliding lit with the sides of said guideways, one of said reed plates being provided with a plurality of integrally formed plastic blow reeds in a preselected successive musical note arrangement according to the successive different tones of a musical score, the other of said reed plates being provided with a plurality of integrally formed plastic draw reeds in a preselected successive musical note arrangement according to other successive different tones of the musical score, and snap means for readily removably latching said reed plates in playing assembled position in said supporting structure.

5. A harmonica having a plastic supporting structure including a reed plate spacer formed as a cell block with transverse cell walls and a closed cell base at an edge thereof and side covers secured together into a unitary member, a pair of plastic reed plates, means including a transverse guideway in and adjacent each longitudinal end of said supporting structure formed for ready insertion thereinto and removal therefrom of said reed plates with a portion of each end of said reed plates adapted to have a close sliding fit with the sides of said guideways for securing said reed plates in playable position in said supporting structure independently of positive engagement with any means for securing together said unitary means on said reed plates for use as grips in assembling and disassembling said reed plates and supporting structure, one of said reed plates having a plurality of integrally formed plastic blow reeds in a preselected linear musical note arrangement according to a musical score, and the other of said reed plates having a plurality of integrally formed plastic draw reeds in a preselected linear musical note arrangement according to another musical score.

6. A harmonica having a supporting structure having a mouthpiece edge and including a reed plate spacer and a pair of covers secured one on each side of said spacer, a pair of reed plates removably mounted in said supporting structure, one of said reed plates being provided with a plurality of blow reeds in a preselected linear musical note arrangement according toa musical score, the other of said reed plates being provided with a plurality of draw reeds in a preselected linear musical note arrangement according to another musical score, and means including a marginal lip adjacent each side of said harmonica mouthpiece edge and adapted to fit in engagement wi h the end of each reed plate adjacent said mouthpiece edge and rounded protrusions formed in- 12 tegrally on said spacer on each side thereof and complementary depressions in said reed plates adapted to snap into engagement for removably latching said reed plates in assembled position in said supporting structure.

7. A harmonica having a plastic supporting structure having a mouthpiece edge including a reed plate spacer formed as a cell block with transverse cell walls and a closed cell base at an edge thereof and side covers secured together into a unitary member, a pair of plastic reed plates, means including a transverse guideway in and adjacent each longitudinal end of said supporting structure formed for ready insertion thereinto and removal therefrom of said reed plates with a portion of each end of said reed plates adapted to have a close sliding fit with the sides of said guideways for securing said reed plates in playable position in said supporting structure independently of any means for securing together said unitary supporting structure member, one of said reed plates being provided with a plurality of integrally formed plastic blow reeds in a preselected linear musical note arrangement according to a musical score, the other of said reed plates being provided with a plurality of integrally formed plastic draw reeds in a preselected linear musical note arrangement according to another musical score, and means including a marginal lip adjacent each side of said mouthpiece edge of said harmonica supporting structure adapted to fit in close substantially air-sealing engagement with the adjacent end of each respective reed plate.

8. A harmonica having a supporting structure including a reed plate spacer and a pair of covers secured one on each side of said spacer, apair of reed plates removably mounted in said supporting structure, means including tabs on each reed plate providing gripsfor use in assembling and disassembling said reed plates and supporting structure, one of said reed plates being provided with a plurality of blow reeds in a preselected linear musical note arrangement ac cording to a musical score, the other of said reed plates being provided with a plurality of draw reeds in a preselected linear musical note arrangement according to another musical score, and means including rounded protrusions formed integrally on said spacer on each side thereof and complementary depressions in said reed plates adapted to snap into engagement for removably latching said reed plates in assembled position in said supporting structure.

9. A harmonica having a plastic supporting structure including a reed plate spacer formed as a cell block with transverse cell walls and a closed cell base at an edge thereof and side covers secured together into a unitary member, a pair of plastic reed plates, means including a transverse guideway in and adjacent each longitudinal end of said supporting structure formed for insertion thereinto and removal therefrom of said reed plates with a portion of each end of said reed plates adapted to have a close sliding fit with the sides of said guideways for securing said reed plates in playable position in said supporting structure independently of any means for securing together said unitary supporting structure member, means including tabs on said reed plates providing grips for use in assembling and disassembling said reed plates and supporting structure, one of said reed plates being provided with a plurality of integrally formed plastic blow reeds in a preselected progressive linear musical 13 note arrangement according to a musical score, and the other of said reed plates being provided with a plurality of integrally formed plastic draw reeds in a preselected progressive linear musical note arrangement according to another musical score.

10. A harmonica having a supporting structure having a mouthpiece edge and including a reed plate spacer formed as a cell block with transverse side walls and bases and a pair of covers secured one on each side of said spacer, a pair of reed plates removably mounted in said supporting structure, one of said reed plates being provided with a plurality of blow reeds formed and arranged in a preselected linear musical note arrangement according to a musical score, the other of said reed plates being provided with a plurality of draw reeds formed and arranged in a preselected linear musical note arrangement according to another musical score, and means including an inturned marginal air-sealing lip adjacent each side of said harmonica mouthpiece edge and adapted to fit in substantially air-sealing arrangement in engagement with the end of each respective reed plate adjacent said mouthpiece edge and a plurality of longitudinally spaced transverse inwardly extending rib spacing elements on the inner sides of said covers extend ing substantially the full length of said transverse cell walls biasing said reed plates into substantially air-sealing engagement with said reed plate spacer with rounded protrusions formed integrally on said spacer on each side thereof and complementary depressions in said reed plates adapted to snap into engagement for removably latching said reed plates in assembled position in said supporting structure.

11. A harmonica having a supporting structure having a mouthpiece edge and including a reed plate spacer and a pair of covers secured one on each side of said spacer, a pair of reed plates removably mounted in said supporting structure, means including tabs on each reed plate providing grips for use in assembling and disassembling said reed plates and supporting structure, one of said reed plates being provided with a plurality of blow reeds in a preselected linear musical note arrangement according to a musical score, the other of said reed plates beingv provided with a plurality of draw reeds in a preselected linear musical note arrangement according to another musical score, and means including an inturned marginal air-sealing lip adjacent each side of said harmonica mouthpiece edge and adapted to fit in substantially airsealing arrangement with the end of each respective reed plate adjacent said mouthpiece edge and rounded protrusions formed integrally on said spacer on each side thereof and complementary depressions in said reed plates adapted to snap into engagement for removably latching said reed plates in assembled position in said supporting structure.

12. A harmonica having a supporting structure having a mouthpiece edge and including a reed plate spacer and a pair of covers secured one on each side of said spacer, a pair or" reed plates removably mounted in said supporting structure, one of said reed plates having a plurality of blow reeds in a preselected linearly progressive musical note arrangement according to a musical score, the other of said reed plates having a plurality of draw reeds in a preselected linearly progressive musical note arrangement according to another musical score,

an inwardly extending marginal air-sealing lip.

adjacent each side of said harmonica mouthpiece edge and adapted to fit in substantially airsealing arrangement with the end of each respective reed plate adjacent said mouthpiece edge, and means including a resilient spring clamp around the edge of said reed plates and supporting structure away from said mouthpiece edge for biasing said reed plates into substantially air-sealing engagement with said inturned marginal lip.

13. A harmonica having a supporting structure, a pair of reed plates, one of said reed plates having a plurality of blow reeds formed and arranged in a preselected linear musical note arrangement according to a musical score, the other of said reed plates having a plurality of draw reeds formed and arranged in a preselected linear musical note arrangement according to another musical score, and means including a spring clamp constructed to engage an outer edge of said reed plates and to engage by snap action said supporting structure for biasing and readily removably latching said reed plates into assembled playing position in said supporting structure.

14. A harmonica having a supporting structure having a mouthpiece edge and including a reed plate spacer and a pair of covers secured one on each side of said spacer, a pair of reed plates removably mounted in said supporting structure, one of said reed plates being provided with a plurality of blow reeds in a preselected linearly progressive musical note arrangement according to a musical score, the other of said reed plates being provided with a plurality of draw reeds in a preselected linearly progressive musical note arrangement according to another musical score, and means including an inwardly extending marginal air-sealing lip adjacent each side of said harmonica mouthpiece edge and adapted to fit in substantially air-sealing arrangement with the end of each respective reed plate adjacent said mouthpiece edge with complementary protrusions and depressions on said spacer and said reed plates adapted to snap into engagement for removably latching said reed plates in assembled position in said supporting structure.

15. A harmonica having a supporting structure having a mouthpiece edge and including a reed plate spacer and a pair of covers secured one on each side of said spacer, a pair of reed plates removably mounted in said supporting structure, one of said reed plates having a plurality of blow reeds in a preselected linear musical note arrangement according to a musical score, the other of said reed plates having a plurality of draw reeds in a preselected linear musical note arrangement according to another musical score, a tapered surface on the mouthpiece edge of each of said reed plates, and means including a marginal lipe with a tapered surface adjacent each side of said harmonica mouthpiece edge complementary to and adapted to fit in engagement with said tapered surface of said reed plates.

16. A harmonica having a supporting structure with an outer cover and a reed plate spacer arranged within said cover and formed as a cell block having cells with walls and bases and all being secured together forming a unitary member, a pair of reed plates, means including a transverse guideway in and adjacent each longitudinal end of said supporting structure formed for ready insertion and removal of said reed plates from said supporting structure with a portion of each end of said reed plates adapted to have a close sliding fit with the sides of said guideways for securing said reed plates in playable position in said supporting structure independently of any means for securing together said supporting structure, one of said reed plates being provided with a plurality of blow reeds in a preselected progressive linear musical note arrangement according to a part of a musical score, the other of said reed plates being provided with a plurality of draw reeds in a preselected progressive linear musical note arrangement according to another part of the musical score, and means including an inturned marginal air-sealing lip adjacent each side of said mouthpiece edge of said harmonica and a plurality of longitudinally spaced transverse inwardly extending wall guide elements on the inner sidesof said cover extending substantially the full length of said cell walls biasing said reed plates into substantially air-sealing engagement with said reed plate spacer for removably latching said reed plates in assembled position in said supporting structure.

17. A harmonica having a supporting structure and a pair of readily removably mounted plastic reed plates, said supporting structure in cluding a plastic reed plate spacer cell block and a pair of plastic covers arranged one on each side of said spacer cell block, said covers and said cell block being permanently secured together by interlocked and pressed complementary protrusions and recesses thereon and being formed and arranged to provide a guideway for said reed plates adjacent each longitudinal end thereof on each side of said spacer cell block, a keyway on each side of said spacer cell block in the base thereof and spaced longitudinally differently on the two sides thereof, each of said reed plates being formed for ready insertion into and removal from assembled position on said supporting structure with a portion of each end adapted to have a close sliding fit with the sides of said guideways, means including tabs on said reed plates extending in a direction away from the mouthpiece edge of the harmonica providing grips for use in assembling and disassembling said reed plates and supporting structure, one of said reed plates having a plurality of integrally formed plastic blow reeds in a preselected progressive linear musical note arrangement according to a musical score, the other of said reed plates having a plurality of integrally formed plastic draw reeds in a preselected progressive linear musical note arrangement according to another musical score, a key formed on each of said reed plates arranged to fit into one of said cell block keyways to assure correct assembly of each reed plate relative to said spacer cell block, means including rounded protrusions formed integrally on said spacer cell block and complementary depressions in said reed plates adjacent each outer edge thereof adapted to snap into engagement with said protrusions for readily removably latching said reed plates in playing assembled position in said supporting structure, and means including the title of the musical score formed into said reed plates for identifying the musical score of the reeds thereon.

18. A harmonica having a supporting structure and a pair of removably mounted plastic reed plates, said supporting structure including a plastic reed plate spacer and a pair of plastic covers arranged one on each side of said spacer, said covers and said spacer being permanently secured together and being formed and arranged to provide a transverse guideway for said reed plates adjacent each longitudinal end thereof on each side of said spacer between said spacer and said covers, one of said reed plates having a plurality of blow reeds in a preselected linear musical note arrangement according to a musical score, the other of said reed plates havin a plurality of draw reeds in a preselected linear musical note arrangement according to another musical score, a keyway on one side of said spacer in the edge opposite the mouthpiece edge to provide for free passage of said blow reeds in inserting and withdrawing said blow reed plate, each of said reed plates being formed for insertion into and removal from assembled position on said supporting structure with a portion of each end adapted to have a close sliding fit with the sides of said guideways, means including tabs on said reed plates extending in a direction away from the mouthpiece edge of the harmonica providing grips for use in assembling and disassembling said reed plates and supporting structure, a key formed on said blow reed plate arranged to fit into said cell block. keyway to assure correct assembly of said blow reed plate relative to said spacer and substantially to seal said keyway, means including rounded protrusions formed integrally on said spacer cell block and complementary depressions in said reed plates adjacent each outer edge thereof adapted to snap into engagement with said protrusions for removably latching said reed plates in playing assembled position in said supporting structure, and means including the title of the musical score formed into said reed plates for identifying the musical score of the reeds thereon.

19. A harmonica having a supporting structure comprising a cell block and with an outer cover around said cell block secured together forming a unitary member, a pair of reed plates, means including a transverse guideway in and adjacent each longitudinal end of said supporting structure formed for ready insertion and removal of said reed plates from said supporting structure with a portion of each end of said reed plates adapted to have a close sliding fit with the sides of said guideways for securing said reed plates in playable position in said supporting structure independently of any means for securing together said supporting structure, one of said reed plates being provided with a plurality of blow reeds in a preselected progressive linear musical note arrangement according to a musical score, the other of said reed plates being provided with a plurality of draw reeds in a preselected progressive linear musical note arrangement according to another musical score, and means including a plurality of longitudinally spaced transversely extending wall guide elements on the inner sides of said cover arranged spaced on each side of each of said reeds for biasing said reed plates into substantially airsealing engagement with said cell block.

20. A harmonica having a supporting structure secured together forming a unitary member, a pair of reed plates, means including a transverse guideway in and adjacent each longitudinal end of said supporting structure formed for ready insertion and removal of said reed plates from said supporting structure with a portion of each end of said reed plates adapted to have a close sliding fit with the sides of said guideways for securing said reed plates in playable position in said supporting structure inde- 17 pendently of any means for securing together said supporting structure, one of said reed plates having a plurality of blow reeds in a preselected musical note arrangement, and the other of said reed plates having a plurality of draw reeds in a preselected musical note arrangement.

21. A harmonica having a supporting structure with a mouthpiece edge and including a reed plate spacer and a pair of covers secured one on each side of said spacer, a pair of reed plates, means including a transverse guideway in and adjacent each longitudinal end of said supporting structure formed for ready insertion and removal of said reed plates from said supporting structure with a portion of each end of said reed plates adapted to have a close sliding fit with the sides of said guideways for securing said reed plates in playable position in said supporting structure independently of any means for securing together said supporting structure, one of said reed plates being provided with a plurality of blow reeds formed and arranged in a preselected musical note arrangement, the other of said reed plates being provided with a plurality of draw reeds formed and arranged in a preselected musical note arrangement. and means including a plurality of longitudinally spaced transverse inwardly extending rib spacing elements on the inner sides of said covers for biasing said reed plates into substantially airsealing engagement with said reed plate spacer.

22. A harmonica having a supporting structure including a reed plate spacer with a mouthpiece edge and cover means extending over each side of said spacer all secured together forming a unitary member, a pair of reed plates, means including a transverse guideway in and adjacent each longitudinal end of said supporting structure formed for ready insertion and removal of said reed plates from said supporting structure with a portion of each of said reed plates adapted to have a close sliding fit with the sides of said guideways for securing said reed plates in playable position in said supporting structure independently of any means for securing together said supporting structure, one of said reed plates being provided with a plurality of blow reeds in a preselected musical note arrangement, the other of said reed plates being provided with a plurality of draw reeds in a preselected musical note arrangement, a tapered surface on the mouthpiece edge of each of said reed plates, and means including a marginal lip onsaid spacer adjacent each side of said spacer mouthpiece edge with an inwardly tapered surface complementary to and adapted to fit in substantially air-sealing engagement with said tapered surface of said reed plates.

23. A harmonica having a supporting struc-- ture including a reed plate spacer with a mouthpiece edge and cover means extending over each side of said spacer secured together forming a unitary member, a pair of reed plates, means including a transverse guideway in and adjacent each longitudinal end of said supporting structure formed for ready insertion and removal of said reed plates from said supporting structure with a portion of each end of said reed plates adapted to havea close sliding fit with the sides of said guideways for securing said reed plates in playable position in said supporting structure independently of any means for securing together said supporting structure, one of said reed plates being provided with a plurality of blow reeds in a preselected musica1 note arrangement, the other of said. reed plates being provided with a plurality of draw reeds in a preselected musica1 note arrangement, a tapered surface on the mouthpiece edge of each of said reed plates, means including a marginal lip on said spacer adjacent eachside of said spacer mouthpiece edge with an inwardly tapered surface complementary to and adapted to fit in substantially air-sealing engagement with said tapered surface of said reed plates, and means including a plurality of longitudinally spaced transversely extending rib guide elements on the inner sides of said cover means arranged to engage the outer sides of said reed plates for biasing said reed plates into substantial air-sealing engagement with said reed plate spacer.

ADOLPH C. HUGIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 331,949 Doerfel Dec. 8, 1885 400,123 Schoenner Mar. 26, 1889 483,160 Meinel Sept. 27, 1892 1,437,747 Congdon Dec. 5, 1922 1,577,899 Dusinberre Mar. 23, 1926 1,702,538 Friedel Feb. 19, 1929 1,817,109 Stein et al Aug. 4, 1931 1,992,901 McIntosh Feb. 26, 1935 2,407,312 Magnus Sept. 10, 1946 2,467,761 Magnus Apr. 19, 1949 2,511,302 Stephenson June 13, 1950 OTHER REFERENCES Plastics, November 1944, page 76. 

